The average distance from the Earth to the Moon is about 384,400 kilometers (238,855 miles), which is roughly 30 times the diameter of the Earth
. However, this distance varies because the Moon's orbit around the Earth is elliptical. At its closest point (perigee), the Moon is approximately 356,470 km (221,500 miles) away, and at its farthest point (apogee), it is about 405,500 km (252,000 miles) away
. The Moon is slowly moving away from Earth at an average rate of about 3.8 centimeters per year
. Currently, the distance can vary around this average depending on the Moon's orbital position. In summary:
- Average distance: ~384,400 km (238,855 miles)
- Closest distance (perigee): ~356,470 km (221,500 miles)
- Farthest distance (apogee): ~405,500 km (252,000 miles)
This variation means the Moon's distance from Earth is not a fixed number but fluctuates within this range
